Metro Vancouver clinical counsellors offer virtual support to Ukrainian-Canadians

With violence escalating in Ukraine after Russian forces launched hundreds of missiles and artillery attacks across the country, a clinical counsellor in B.C. said she felt she needed to make a meaningful contribution for the local Ukrainian community.

After they battled a feeling of helplessness Viktoriya Fedorchuk and Aliona Sydorenko organized a virtual support group for Ukrainian Canadians and those from Ukraine Sunday.

Sydorenko explains with Ukrainian-Canadians are living in a safer region than their family and friends, they may be experiencing a complex emotional experience right now.

“We are feeling guilt, and feeling pretty helpless around what we can actually do to how to make a contribution and have impact back home,” she said.

So Sydorvnko says she hopes the session can help ground some people who are feeling anxious. While also teaching some coping skills.

The pair say they’ll gauge whether they want to continue the program moving forward.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the escalating violence occurring in Ukraine, you are not alone. Registered Clinical Counsellors Viktoriya Fedorchuk & Aliona Sydorenko are hosting a free virtual support group this Sunday, March 6th. pic.twitter.com/t1XUCp0vMt

— BC Association of Clinical Counsellors (@bccounsellors) March 2, 2022

Fedorchuk and Sydorenko are hosting the event to help the community on a pro-bono basis, however, they are encouraging the provincial government to allocate funds for mental health support for the Ukrainian communities.

“This is our collective trauma that we’re all experiencing,” Fedorchuk said. “I think it’s really important to acknowledge that and for organizations to step in and provide support to the community.”

– With files from Nikitha Martins